illuminate

verb

il·lu·mi·nate | \ i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt

illuminated; illuminating

Definition of illuminate

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a(1) : to supply or brighten with light

(2) : to make luminous or shining

b : to enlighten spiritually or intellectually

c : to subject to radiation

d archaic : to set alight

2a : to make clear : elucidate

b : to bring to the fore : highlight a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are

3 : to make illustrious or resplendent

4 : to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures

illuminate

adjective

il·lu·mi·nate | \ i-ˈlü-mə-nət

Definition of illuminate (Entry 2 of 3)

1 archaic : brightened with light

2 archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened

illuminate

noun

il·lu·mi·nate | \ i-ˈlü-mə-nət

Definition of illuminate (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic

: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment

Other Words from illuminate Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about illuminate

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Synonyms & Antonyms for illuminate

Synonyms: Verb

bathe, beacon, emblaze, illume, illumine, irradiate, light, lighten

Antonyms: Verb

blacken, darken, obfuscate

Examples of illuminate in a Sentence

Verb

the part of the moon illuminated by the sun A university study has illuminated the problem.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

One is a light that illuminates when the signals from the plane’s two angle of attack sensors disagree. — Dominic Gates, The Seattle Times, "Boeing defends 737 MAX’s cockpit add-ons, begins new pilot information sessions," 26 Mar. 2019 Embrace the modernist look with period details like a cheerful starburst-style light fixture that illuminates the oversize double doors. — Heather Corcoran, ELLE Decor, "How to Bring Old Hollywood Into Your Home," 19 Mar. 2019 Scorpio Venus loves anything with a dash of danger, so those born under this elusive sky crave deep, erotic intimacy that illuminates from the inside. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What the Position of Venus in Your Birth Chart Means for You," 31 July 2018 The posterior featured a skin of LED lights that would illuminate in the club’s blue and orange colors, taking inspiration from Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena in the German Bundesliga. — Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati announces timeline for West End stadium, to unveil new design," 29 June 2018 The hearing included a few other exchanges with Sullivan that illuminated his thinking from the bench. — Katelyn Polantz, CNN, "Judge doesn't believe Mueller's office has been leaking," 24 May 2018 Gale and Janas helped her comb through the Great American Songbook, looking for numbers that would illuminate her recollections. — Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, "Kathleen Turner Finds Her Voice at Café Carlyle," 18 May 2018 Street lights that illuminate the drive to Carrier flick to life just before dinnertime. — Tom Chiarella And James Lynch, Popular Mechanics, "The Last Shift: What Really Happened To Those Carrier Jobs Trump Saved," 15 May 2018 The room was dim aside from spotlights that illuminated the stage. — Adam Harris, The Atlantic, "When Betsy DeVos Comes to a Catholic Campus," 8 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges. — Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, "The Uses and Misuses of Historical Analogy for North Korea," 3 Oct. 2017 Throughout the film, interviews reveal the pervasive abuses committed against infants, children and teens as well as illuminate groups and people who are working to stop it. — Kimber Myers, latimes.com, "Filmmaker-monk goes after sex trade in documentary 'Stopping Traffic'," 28 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.